Shoe lacing eyelet



Nov. 20, 1934. J. A, BRENT SHOE LACING EYELET Original Filed July 26, 1932 JA M55 A. EEE/VT Patented Nov. 2.0, 1934 UNITED,A STATES SHOE LACING, vEYELET James A. Brent,

Application July 26, 1932, Serial No. 624,820 Renewed May 14, 1934 6 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvementl in shoe lacing eyelets.

The object of my invention is to provide lacing eyelets arranged along the contiguous edges of 215 the shoe vamp to secure the edges together by means of an ordinary shoe-string, but to distribute the pressure uniformly along the edges, so as to avoid transverse creases or ridges therein. At the same time, the eyelets are of such a character and 110.' are so rounded off that they do not cut into the shoe-string as it is pulled therethrough.

In the accompanying drawing: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a shoe showing my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the eyelets applied; Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 through the staple of the eyelet applied;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on line 5 5 '20. of Fig. 2 through the eyelet;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a slight modification; and

Fig. '7 is a plan view showing a continuous row of eyelet staples. '25 The shoe to which the invention is shown applied hasthe usual contiguous edges 1 of the vamp portion which are provided at intervals with openings 2 therein, and which would normally receive the shoe lace. My invention utilizes a staple 3 extending lengthwise of one of the contiguous edges l and parallel with the extreme edge thereof, which staple 3 has end portions 4 extending through the openings 2, and bent toward each other on the under side of the edge 1 of the vamp, as shown in Fig.4. These end portions 4 underlie substantially the entire length of the staple 3 to securely hold the staple in place and distribute the pressure over an extended area of the edge portion 1.

Integrally attached to the staple 3 is the eyelet 5 having a circular bore 6 therethrough which is longitudinally curved to approximately the same curvature of the normal disposition of the shoe-lace extending therethrough and designated 7. The aperture 6 is so disposedwith relation to the spherical body 5 in which it is formed that the side which is disposed toward the opening in the shoe to which the staple is applied is thicker than the other side, as shown in Fig. 5, since that is the side of the eyelet which sustains strain and wear. The curvature of the opening, approximately the same as the normal curvature of the lacing, prevents a substantial amount of wear of the lacing.

The eyelet 5 is of approximately spherical shape on its external portion, but has flattened faces 8 on opposite sides arranged approximately at acute-angles to each other, which accommodates for the curvature of the opening. The top and bottom are flattened so that the eyelet is no higher than necessary.

As shown in Fig. 1, spacing staples 9 may be interposed between the staples 3, and are of a similar character thereto so as to brace the staples 3 and prevent any buckling or creasing ofr the edge portions of the vamp between the eyelets 5. If desired, the adjacent staples 3 carrying the eyelets may have adjacent ends arranged in the same openings 2 as shown in Fig. 7, and thus eliminate the spacing staples 9.

While the invention is described in connection with the lacing of shoes, yet it is not intended to be limited thereto, for it may be usedv wherever found desirable, such as for the lacing of boots, leggings, or other articles normally fastened together by lacing.

If desired the prongs or end portions may be inserted through the openings and then bent in opposite directions as shown at 4 in Fig. 6.

I claim:

1. A lacing eyelet having a staple attached at an edge thereof and extending in opposite directions therefrom, said eyelet being of approximately spherical shape and having a circular bore which is longitudinally curved.

2. 'Ihe combination of a shoe or the like having openings arranged along contiguous edges thereof, and a series of staples arranged parallel with the contiguous edges between adjacent openings, each of the staples being of a length to extend'at least from one opening to the next adjacent opening on the same side of the contiguous edges, and being of rigid material to brace the contiguous edges between the opening and eyelets carried by the staples and arranged to receiveshoe lacing.

3. A device of the character described including an eyelet which includes an approximately encircling portion having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, and provided with van integral staple at one side and extending in a direction approximately parallel to the direction of the aperture in the eyelet, the staple being `oi' greater length than the eyelet, the ends of said staple constructed and adapted to be inserted through the object to which the staple is to be applied, and thence bent in opposite directions, whereby to hold the staple rigidly in place and flat upon the object to which the device is to be. secured.

4. The combination with a shoe having openings arranged along contiguousedges of its upper, of a series of staples arranged in a continuous unbroken line on each opposite side of said contiguous edges to prevent the formation of transverse ridges in the upper; and means car'- ried by the staples arranged to receive 'shoe 1aeing. y

5. The combination with a shoe having openings arranged along contiguous edges of its up# per, of fastening means for said edges having a n series of staples arranged in 1a continuous 'uri'-v broken line on each opposite side, of `said contig# uous edges and engaging in the Openings, said transverse ridges in the upper, and means carried by said bars arranged to receive shoe lacing.

JAMES A. BRENT.

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